Nuts for better cognitive function and microbiota

A team of researchers led by the Rovira i Virgili University, the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute and the Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition area of ​​the CIBER (CIBEROBN) has associated a weekly moderate consumption of nuts with a better cognitive function and a more diverse intestinal microbiota. He studypublished in the magazine ‘Age and Aging’, shows how Those people who consumed between three and seven servings of 30 grams of nuts each week maintained better cognitive functionand has shown differences in some beneficial intestinal bacterial groups linked to a greater consumption of nuts, compared to those who had a weekly consumption of less than one serving.

After six years of follow-up, the findings suggest that the intestinal microbiota could favor the synthesis of metabolites that, upon reaching the brain, would improve the cognitive function of the individual through different mechanisms. “This work is the first to simultaneously examine the relationship between the consumption of nuts, the composition of the intestinal microbiota and cognitive function prospectively,” said the predoctoral researcher and first author of the study, Jiaqi Ni. After that, she stressed that this discovery reinforces the idea that Healthy dietary habits such as frequently eating nuts may have a “positive impact” on brain healththrough mechanisms “unknown until now.”

Effects on the microbiota, which positively influences brain function

The director of the study, Jordi Salas-Salvadó, has stated that the results not only confirm the benefits of consuming nuts, but also “open new avenues of research” on the modulating role of diet on the intestinal microbiotaas well as about its possible effects on the brain.

The research has taken into account the data of 747 participantswith an average age of 65 years, and with overweight, obesity or metabolic syndromewith the aim of identifying preventive strategies focused on modifiable factors to address diseases that affect cognitive health. Due to the lack of treatments to resolve them or stop their progression, Researchers highlight ‘promising’ approach to dietary intake and eating habits.

“In this context of global aging of the population and the increase in cases of dementia, the study highlights the importance of simple, accessible and evidence-based dietary interventions. A handful of nuts a day can be an effective strategy to promote healthy cognitive aging,” the scientists stressed.